Common Cause applauds the New York City Districting Commission's efforts to engage the public by setting up an online interactive mapping tool for voters to use to create their own vision for the New York City Council. Redistricting is a once a decade process designed to reflect demographic changes in the census, and adjust districts according to the real needs of communities of interest. Robust public participation should be a guiding principle of any redistricting process. Redistricting can empower or dis-empower voters with the single stroke of a pen. New York is a city of neighborhoods within neighborhoods and even small changes in district shapes can have large consequences on politics and representation. We encourage voters to take advantage of the online mapping tool and make their voices heard. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dc/html/mapping/mapping.shtml

Background

In the 2011-2012 redistricting process for New York State, Common Cause/NY produced the only set of a non-gerrymandered maps for state and federal office. The maps were made available in an interactive format at UMapNY, hosted by Newsday.com.

Common Cause is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.